via Daily Prompt: Talisman Katy is my talisman A tiny elephant A gift given in the midst of the gift of energetic healing. She lives in a bag that was also a gift. A necklace of 36 amethyst and tiger eye beads from the talented hands of my sister cousin holds the pouch around my… Continue reading My Center

Odd Fellows research is clear: there is a decline of community in our modern era. Odd Fellows recognize that modern society is eroding many forms of community life, social attachments, and a shared sense of comradeship, unity, and support. Some research has indicated a decline in community theater, festival, and football attendance. A lack of community has debilitating psychological and physical effects on people. Being Odd Fellows means we are called to work on this concern locally and internationally. We must also come to understand more about the decline of community.

Odd Fellowship provides all these values in our lodges (except for political connections). However, we must lead in stabilizing community values on the local and international level.

U.S. sociologist Robert Putnam states that “the social glue that binds together individuals and wider collectives is referred to as ‘social capital.‘”…

via Daily Prompt: Invisible Invisible Illness they call it invisible to everyone even to me at times this thing with the vague symptoms intangible invisible sometimes I wonder if it's all in my head lab results appear or someone says your color is better today your neck isn't as swollen you're walking better and I… Continue reading Invisible

Imagine if we could see the emotional pain and scars represented on the skin of those around us. Festering, oozing, open sores on the skin of those still trapped in their pain and black and blue bruises covering the bodies of those beginning to heal. What about those with scars? Some may hide the scars, embarrassed by their pain and past struggle even though they had to be so very strong just to survive. Those with scars that show, uncovered in the sun, for all to see may be the strongest of all. These are the scars of people who were strong enough to survive, heal, and continue living despite their past. How different would we relate to people if we could see their internal pain? How different would we present ourselves if our past was visible on our skin?

via Daily Prompt: Patience What's that saying about seeds and burying? Life sort of feels that way to me right now, like I don't know where I'm going next. Which of course is not really necessary, I can live in trust that the Spirit is guiding me.. go with the flow, live in the moment,… Continue reading Feeling buried. Hoping it’s just a seed phase.

The way I was raised, there wasn't much you could do that was worse than going back on your word. If you said you would do something, be somewhere, help someone, well.. you damn sure better do it or die trying. Sometimes it feels like that is exactly what I'm doing!! How do you adjust… Continue reading I Wish You Could Depend On Me

Reading blog posts from years ago, I feel like that person is a complete stranger. What happened to my drive,my energy? Did my joie de vivre elope with my raison d'etre, leaving me standing at the altar? Sometimes I feel quite angry at my body for this betrayal. Honestly though, this feels so much like… Continue reading Grief Always Has Something To Teach Us

According to my brilliant cousin Laura, skewwhiff is a word of 18th century Scottish origin meaning off balance.. According to my equally brilliant cousin Lynn sygogglin' is also an apt word for this craziness that has claimed my brain! Maybe I should back up a bit and explain to y'all just exactly why I feel… Continue reading Sygogglin’ Skewwhiff

Happy Saturday y'all. It's another beautiful day, I'm getting a major case of spring fever! So many times I use words .. Overuse words. So much, they lose meaning. Thankful. Full of thanks !!! Grateful. Full of gratitude!!! Love. Heart swelling with feeling that is completely ineffable !!! Love is the word that comes closest.… Continue reading Words